Armenian Diaspora Hockey Team HC Armenia to Compete in the First Division of the Amerigol Latam Cup 2025

The impressive success at the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV, held in April in Yerevan, marked the rapid rise of ice hockey in Armenia. The national team’s second-place finish, record-breaking fan support, and the high level of tournament organization have firmly placed Armenia on the global hockey map.

One of the key directions of development is strengthening ties with the Armenian hockey diaspora around the world. Although diaspora teams are not part of the Armenian Ice Hockey Federation’s infrastructure, the connections with players and teams are growing stronger.

This winter, HC Armenia, consisting of players from Montreal, took part in the 2nd Winter Pan-Armenian Games, becoming part of a unique sporting event that brought together Armenians from across the globe. Players of diaspora teams are usually products of the North American hockey system and graduates of schools that operate according to NHL standards. Their experience and level of preparation allow them to represent Armenian colors with dignity in major tournaments.

Every year, HC Armenia participates in the Amerigol Latam Cup — a prestigious international tournament that unites hockey teams from regions where the sport is still gaining popularity. Since its inception in 2018, the Amerigol Latam Cup has become a unique platform for teams from countries and regions without extensive hockey infrastructure. The tournament is held with the support of the NHL and the two-time Stanley Cup winners Florida Panthers, annually gathering dozens of teams from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, contributing to both hockey development and international cultural exchange. In 2025, Armenia will once again play in the Men’s Division I, competing against teams from Puerto Rico, Greece, and Mexico.

An exhibition match against India is also scheduled (August 19 at 6:45 PM local time).

Armenia’s Match Schedule (Men’s Division I):

• August 20, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM — Armenia vs Puerto Rico (Rink 2 – Mezzanine)

• August 21, 10:45 AM–1:15 PM — Armenia vs Greece (Rink 1 – Stadium)

• August 22, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM — Mexico Warriors vs Armenia (Rink 1 – Stadium)

HC Armenia Roster

Forwards:
Artashes Arutunyan
Arvega Hovsepyan
Nick Fontaine
Alexei Dikranian
Mikka Kelechian
Arden Mouradian
Alex Badalyan
Garrett Howhannesian
Charlie Chinian
John Hovik Keshishian
Luke Avedesian
Alex-Michel Zakarian

Defensemen:
Alex Bedrossian
Herag Saiyan (C)
Eric Chamandy
Anthony Romarin
Erminio Marsico
Davit Sahakian

Goaltenders:
Krikor Haratounian
Taniel Karaboghossian

Herag Saiyan remains the team’s captain, as in previous years. The head coach is Ara Karaboghossian.

Armenian Ice Hockey Federation General Secretary Aram Sargsyan emphasized that HC Armenia’s participation in tournaments like the Amerigol Latam Cup plays a major role in promoting hockey within Armenia:

“We closely follow the achievements of our compatriots abroad and are proud that Armenian hockey players represent our country with honor on the international stage. I wish the boys confident victories, beautiful play, and new sporting achievements,” Sargsyan noted.

This year, Natalia Kazantseva from Yerevan — a lawyer, sports manager, and board member of the Armenian Hockey League — joined the team’s administrative staff. She played a key role in the revival of hockey in the country and in organizing the 2025 World Championship in Yerevan. Her participation in the Amerigol Latam Cup as the team manager has become a symbol of building new bridges between hockey in Armenia and Armenian-origin players in North America, as well as an important step toward developing international relations in the sports sphere.